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Hi All,

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum, but I will ask my question anyway; hopefully someone can answer it, or point me towards the correct forum to get suggestions and/or answers.

I own a 1987 Yamaha Virago 1100 (with only 20,000 original miles), it was garaged for a couple of years without being ridden. I had an oil change, tune-up, replaced front fork seals, cleaned and repared carborators, and had a new starter, etc. put in.

The bike now runs but the de-acceleration lifters are sticky and cause some sputtering and backfiring. The more I ride the bike the better it runs. My mechanic says just keep riding it; the lifters are sticky from non use.

It has been suggestedd to me to use Marvel Mystery Oil to help correct the "sticky" lifters, etc. Researching Marvel Mystery Oil on the internet has left me more confused than ever; some information leads me to believe that it can be harmful to the motorcycle (on many different levels), some that it is a waste of time and money, and others that swear it is the greatest product in the world and should be used regularly.

Has anyone had any experience with Marvel Mystery Oil and/or ever used it in a motorcycle with sticky lifters with any success?

If it is a good product for this application how much should be used? I have read to use as little as a teaspoon per tank of gas (the tank holds 4.4 US gallons) to as much as one ounce for every 2.5 gallons of gas.

What is the correct dosage one teaspoon in a tank of gas OR one once for each 2.5 gallons of gas in the tank? And after using the "treated" tank of gas do I need to change the oil again? (I heard that Mavel Mystery Oil can compromise the quality of the motor oil amoung other things, and that the oil should be changed after use).

Thanks in advance for all suggestions and answers.

I'm a firm believer in SeaFoam and synthetic oil. Do an engine oil flush with SeaFoam and switch to synthetic upon fillup, then put a few ounces of SeaFoam in the fuel tank. Should clean up any carbon or varnish and get things movin' for ya.

i dont have any experience with marvel mystery oil or any other fix in a can.i do have experience with viragos.to start with they dont have any lifters.they are overhead cams.the popping on deceleration is a fresh air valve that lets air in the exhaust when you let off the gas.it is a epa thing.

My brother has operated/worked in auto repair shops for years and is a very good mechanic (he's one of the rare ones that won't take advantage of you). He has used Marvel for a long time. He uses it to clean up old engines/fuel systems. He has also used it when he has gotten hit by kid’s w/sugar in his tank.
2 oz. marvel- 5 gal. gas....1qt. marvel in a 5qt. oil system then dumps it after just a few miles and puts in regular oil (this of course includes new oil filter also), if he is treating a motor that has been abused or sitting for very long.
We haven't ever changed the oil after using marvel in our gas.

I have a close friend in Vegas who uses it w/his Harley's (in the fuel) on a regular basis along w/his octane boost in every tank of gas.

My brother uses it for fuel injected engines on a regular basis. He uses it like you would an injector cleaner.
I use it in my Bike about one tank every third tune up or so.

My Dad used Marvel Mystery Oil. It's still a mystery to me.

Good Afternoon All,

Thanks to everyone for the input; most especially to Dr Bob.

Dr Bob, if you read this, thanks, you really sound like you know what you're talking about. With my Virago 1100, the "stickiness", sputtering, popping, and backfiring that I feel and hear is only during de-acceleration. While accelerating the bike runs "strong" through the "red line" in in all five gears. Also, the more the bike is ridden, the less sputtering and backfiring occurs. Any idea what is going on??? What is sticking and causing the sputtering and backfiring and why the more I ride the bike the less and less it is happening? Is the "fresh air" valve you were discussing sticking from lack of use and just working better with each ride?

Thanks

the popping is caused by a lean fuel condition.the fresh air valve usually dont stick.if it has sat for a while and the carb jets are slightly stopped up this adds to lean condition resulting in even more popping upon deceleration.go to a Yamaha dealer and get a can of Yamaha Carburetor Cleaner and put it in the tank.it works better than any of that stuff in auto parts stores.the more you ride it the better it will get as the jets are cleaned.

9000white wrote:i dont have any experience with marvel mystery oil or any other fix in a can.

....

go to a Yamaha dealer and get a can of Yamaha Carburetor Cleaner and put it in the tank.it works better than any of that stuff in auto parts stores.

So, which one is it?

+1 vote on SeaFoam here. It's the only snake oil I'll ever use.

seafoam aint nothing but colored water.
i dont use stuff like marvel oil because it is supposed to cure everything including broken hearts.
when the fuel needs to be treated i get Yamaha carb cleaner.that is all it does no fantastic motor overhaul in the bottle claims.